Denver Catholic Lenten Cookbook: Pasta Primavera

(Photo by André Escaleira, Jr.)

Prep time: 10 mins

Cook time: 20 mins

Cost: $

Servings: 4

Ingredients:

1 lb pasta of your choosing (penne recommended)

10 oz cherry or grape tomatoes, cut in half or quarters

10 oz spinach, chopped

1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced

1 1/2 lbs broccoli, cut into small florets

4 tbsp olive oil

Garlic, salt and pepper, to taste

Red pepper flakes, if desired, to taste

1-2 veggie sausage links, cut into 1/4-inch coins, if desired for extra protein

Instructions:

1. In a large pot, cook pasta of your choosing according to package directions, with water recommended on the package. Drain.

2. If desired, while the pasta is cooking, heat 1 tbsp of olive oil in a pan and use to brown the veggie sausage coins in a small skillet (about 3 5 minutes). Season with garlic, salt and pepper, to taste.

3. Combine cooked pasta with cherry or grape tomatoes, spinach, sliced red bell pepper and broccoli florets. Add 2-3 tbsp of olive oil and salt, pepper, garlic and, if desired, red pepper flakes, to taste. Stir everything until well combined.

4. If desired, add veggie sausage links to the pasta and vegetables and stir until well combined.

Serve and enjoy.